Chapter 8. Species Selection and Planting

Species Selection and Planting

Selecting the appropriate tree species and location for planting is imperative to sustaining a healthy urban forest, providing for a cost effective urban forestry program, and providing acceptable urban forest solutions to neighbourhoods and communities. Tree species should be considered based on aesthetic appeal, hardiness zone, size, form, and site conditions of the growing location. To minimize conflicts and reduce maintenance needs, trees should be visualized at full functional size when surveying a potential site for planting. Selecting a tree that is well suited to the soil conditions, light availability, pedestrian traffic, drainage, space and microclimate of the specific site is essential to the tree’s long-term survival and to public safety.

Canadian online resources:

• City of Edmonton: Tree Planting
• Ferguson Forest Centre, the Forest Gene Conservation Association, and the Eastern Ontario Model Forest: Choosing the Right Tree: A Landowner’s Guide to Putting Down Roots
• Hydro Ottawa: Tree Planting (PDF)
• International Society of Aboriculture, Prairie Chapter: Alberta Tree Species Rating Guide (PDF)
• Landowner Resource Centre (Ontario): Maintaining Healthy Urban Trees (PDF)
• City of Moncton: Tree Planting Program
• Government of Prince Edward Island: Tree Planting
• Ville de Québec: Plantation d’arbres
• City of Regina: Trees that Grow Well in Regina 
• City of Toronto: Tree Planting
• Tree Canada: Guide to Tree Planting
• City of Vancouver: Vancouver Street Tree Planting Program
• City of Winnipeg: Tree Selection and Planting

Non-Canadian online resources:

• International Society of Arboriculture: Buying High-Quality Trees
• International Society of Arboriculture: New Tree Planting
• International Society of Arboriculture: Which Plant Where: A Plant Selection Tool for Changing Urban Climates (PDF)
• Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: SelecTree: A Tree Selection Guide
• Virginia Department of Forestry: How to Plant a Tree

Further reading:

Almas, A. D. & Conway, T. M. (2016). The role of native species in urban forest planning and practice: A case study of Carolinian Canada. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 17, 54-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2016.01.015

Conway, T. M. & Vander Vecht, J. (2015). Growing a diverse urban forest: Species selection decisions by practitioners planting and supplying trees. Landscape and Urban Planning, 138, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.01.007

Gerstenberg, T. & Hofmann, M. (2016). Perception and preference of trees: A psychological contribution to tree species selection in urban areas. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 15, 103-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2015.12.004

Sjöman, H., Hirons, A. D., & Bassuk, N. L. (2015). Urban forest resilience through tree selection—Variation in drought tolerance in Acer. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 14(4), 858-865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2015.08.004